NFUS position on crofting law reform

SIR, – In response to Patrick Krause’s article in last Saturday’s Press and Journal (December 9) I would like to confirm NFU Scotland’s (NFUS) position regarding our evidence to the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee in November 2016 and our subsequent submission to the crofting law reform 2017 consultation.

In October 2016 NFUS consulted all our crofter members on several issues – with the need for crofting law reform being one of them. The results indicated that 62% thought that crofting legislation should be reviewed, simplified and modified. Some 13% wanted to start again with a “clean sheet”.

When the Scottish Government launched the crofting law reform 2017 consultation in August, we again consulted all our crofter members and asked them of the four options that were presented, which did they prefer.

The majority that responded were in favour of option four. This was subsequently endorsed by the members of our Crofting Highlands and Islands Committee, which discussed our submission at its last meeting just prior to the consultation deadline.

I believe that we are the only crofter member organisation that has fully consulted with our members twice in the last year – sending a postal or electronic version of both of our consultations direct to every one of our 800-plus crofter members. This, along with feedback that we received during our Highlands and islands roadshow in June 2017, and subsequent meetings, informed our final submission.

While not everyone will agree with all that we have said, I believe that we are fully representing the majority of our members. As stated in our final submission to the crofting law reform 2017 consultation, NFUS believes that option four – a Bill setting out “new” crofting law – is what is required. However, this is with the caveat that fundamental crofters’ rights are protected and that elements of existing crofting legislation that work for the benefit of crofters, and crofting, could be used to formulate any new law.

NFUS members are keen to see crofting flourish and want to see legislation that is enabling; that encourages and supports innovation and entrepreneurship, not stifling and constraining it.

Reforming crofting legislation is only part of the issue in revitalising crofting. In our submission, we have urged Scottish Government to produce the promised National Development Plan, prior to a Bill coming before parliament. Lucy Sumsion, NFU Scotland crofting policy manager